Saturday, the IHSAA boys basketball tournament continues with the regional round. Indiana Basketball Source details each of the morning games. It should be a day filled with close games.

South Bend Washington

St. Joe vs. Twin Lakes

St. Joe pulled a slight upset against rival Mishawaka Marian before winning the sectional. Notre Dame signee JR Konieczny is having a great career and wants to end his career with a deep tournament run. The lengthy wing is averaging 28.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. St. Joe's supporting cast is strong with Will Terry, Jack Futa, and Cole Hatkevich.

Twin Lakes beat a good Western team to win the sectional. Noah Johnston and Clayton Bridwell are the players to watch for TL. It will take a big upset for Twin Lakes to get through St. Joe, but they were not expected to win the sectional, either.

Hammond vs. New Prairie

Hammond is the top-ranked 3A team for a reason. Harold Woods (18 PPG), Darrell Reed (12.3 PPG), and Reggie Abram (12.7 PPG) lead the way, but Julius Byrd and Jordan Woods are major contributors as well. They have a balanced offense that can score inside, outside, in transition and the halfcourt. When Hammond is forcing turnovers, the Wildcats are nearly impossible to beat.

Braydon Flagg is the leader of New Prairie. He earned All-NIC honors this season and is a 1,000 career point scorer. Grady Lapczynski is a second option for the Cougars. This is will an uphill battle for New Prairie, but they have faced strong teams in the NIC – Adams, St. Joe, Marian, Riley, and a non-conference game against Michigan City. The Cougars should be prepared for a high-powered team like Hammond, but will they have enough to beat them? If they do, it will be a monumental upset.

New Castle

NorthWood vs. New Castle

New Castle playing on its home court is likely the biggest surprise regional participant. The Trojans beat Delta and Hamilton Heights on their way to the sectional title. Senior guard Cole McDaniel is a big-time scorer that can carry New Castle to a win.

It is no surprise to see NorthWood in a regional. This is the seventh regional appearance since 2012. In all sectional games, Cade Brenner led NorthWood in scoring. Even in low-scoring games, Brenner averaged 18 points per game. Ian Raasch and Brock Bontrager are consistent secondary options.

This one should go down to the wire.

Mississinewa vs. Leo

Mississinewa beat Norwell, Heritage, and Oak Hill to win a sectional title. Landen Swanner and Tai McClung lead the way. Swanner averaged 17 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. McClung produces 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. At the 3A level, Swanner and McClung are a potent one-two punch.

Leo was a top-five 3A team all season but stumbled a bit down the stretch. It took overtime for the Lions to beat Luers in the semi-final last week. Senior Blake Davison was the leader all season. He provides a lot off the dribble. DJ Allen and Zack Troyer control the inside. Ayden Ruble and Andrew Tkacz add even more depth for the Lions.

Leo should have an advantage in this one, but the Lions are not clicking like they were earlier in the season. Mississinewa will have a chance if Swanner and McClung produce at a high level.

Greencastle

Northview vs. Beech Grove

Northview was a bit of a surprise sectional winner after beating West Vigo, Brownstown Central, and Edgewood. Caleb Swearingen, Brevin Cooper, and Drew Cook are the main player for the Knights. Swearingen is the leading scorer – 18.4 points per game – but Cooper had a huge game in the sectional.

Beech Grove continues to win in the postseason. The Hornets have won three straight sectionals. They do it with balance and toughness. Jadyn Curry and Gavin Mitchell are the main scorers for Beech Grove at 11.6 and 11 points per game, respectively.

This should be a close, great game.

Guerin Catholic vs. Greencastle

Guerin is a top 3A team that has flown a bit under the radar. Joe Bobilya and Kaleb Edwards are a tremendous scoring punch. Bobilya scores from the outside more often than not, and Edwards likes to slash to the basket. Bobilya is a 41 percent three-point shooter on eight attempts per contest. Matthew Gillis adds a third option for Guerin.

Greencastle relies on Brody Whitaker to stir the drink. He makes an impact in all areas – 23.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. The Marian University-bound guard has the size to play different positions and scores in a variety of ways. Nick Sutherlin, Cade Plew, and Evan Alexander need to play well for Greencastle to beat Guerin.

Washington 

Heritage Hills vs. Silver Creek

Washington is always a great regional site, and this year is no different. It starts with a fun individual match-up between Heritage Hills’ Blake Sisley and Silver Creek’s Trey Kaufman-Renn and Kooper Jacobi. Sisley tallied 40 points in the sectional game against Bosse and averaged 29 points per game in the postseason so far. He will need another monster game for Heritage Hills to beat the supremely-talented Dragons. Outside of Sisley, no other Heritage Hills player averages double figures. 

Silver Creek features its familiar trio of Kaufman-Renn, Jacobi, and Branden Northern. Those three apply pressure to opposing teams in many ways – size, outside shooting, rebounding, full-court pressure from Northern, paint scoring. Those three combined for 65 points per game. That is why Silver Creek is a top 3A team in the state.

Connersville vs. Sullivan

Kerry Brown and Connersville are back in a regional for the first time since 2017. The Spartans will take the air out of the ball and play suffocating defense. Playing at a slow pace, no Connersville player averages more than 8.7 points per game. That is Tobey Billups. He is a good outside shooter that prefers to get to the basket. Jonah Graham and Kaleb Sparks are excellent outside shooters as well.

Sullivan wants to play at a faster pace. Randy Kelley, Jackson Hills, and Braden Flanagan are a stellar trio. Hills is the inside presence. Kelley is the playmaking point guard, and Flanagan is a great shooter. Throw Rocco Roshel and Luke Adams into the mix, and Sullivan is a tough team to beat.

Pace will play a major factor in the outcome of this one.